more sadly because it would seem that all hands might have been saved, as land was near, the sea calm, and there was time to leave the ship; only the captain trusted to the security afforded by the bulkheads of the ship, and was anxious to return to Simon's Bay to save it; and our confidence in the security afforded by the appliances of naval engineering has had another rude shock, since they seem to fail us so completely in the hour when they are most needed. REVIVAL OF TRADE. It is cheering to note that "taking periods of such extent as to cover minor fluctuations, the progress of the country in all the leading branches of trade has been marked and indisputable. There is no getting over such figures as have been adduced with reference to the last thirty years. Seven millions have been added to our population. Instead of 920,000 paupers there are now only 803,000-too many by far, still an immense reduction. In 1850 there were 51,000 convictions for crime throughout the United Kingdom; last year the number had fallen to 15,000. Then the deposits in the savings banks amounted to 30 millions; now they are over 77 millions. The gross value of the property and profit assessed for income-tax was in 1850 (omitting Ireland) 256 millions; in 1879 it was 578 millions. Thirty years ago we exported goods to the value of 115 millions; last year the value was 280 millions. In the same period our imports grew from 152 millions to 411 millions." SPREAD OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. THE attempt to extend among the people some of the educational advantages of the universities by lectures delivered in centres of population by first-rate university-men, is deserving of warm commendation. Our public institutions are being rendered more and more available to the people, and even our older universities are getting to see that they exist not for a class only, but for the good of the people at large; and the endeavour to bring to our intelligent artisan class some of the benefits which the universities afford has our keen appreciation, and will we believe meet with encouraging success among young men in our larger towns, who have a good stock of brains and energy, but small means. DEPARTURE OF BR. Bourne. OUR Br. Bourne leaves on his mission, per "Orient," which sails on Thursday, October 27th, and calls at Plymouth on the Saturday following. He purposes going direct to Sydney, thence to Queensland, New Zealand, South Australia, Victoria, returning by way of the States and Canada in time for our next Conference. The season of prayer at parting with him on the morning of the 13th, during the sittings of the committee meetings, was a solemn and impressive occasion. A few friends were assembled with the members of the committee of the Missionary Society in the drawing-room at Church House, Bedminster, the home of our hospitable friends, Mr. and Mrs. Terrett; and the brethren, Gilbert and Hocking (the secretaries respectively of the two departments of our mission work, home and colonial), led us fervently to the throne of grace. Reed, then addressed a few graceful and touching words to Br. Bourne, who The president, Br. spoke briefly in reply; but in such a way that his words went to the hearts of all present. We bespeak on behalf of our brother the prayers of our friends throughout the connexion; and will all join us—as many have already engaged to do— in praying for him daily by name; and ask our Heavenly Father that the voyage throughout may be a prosperous one, and may prove the means of re-establishing His servant's health; that the visit he will pay to the stations abroad may be blessed to the quickening of the churches and the furtherance of soul-saving work; and that he may be brought back to us safely and in joy. THE WHITE RIBBON ARMY. SOME of our friends already know of the important temperance organization, founded and conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Terrett, of Bedminster, Bristol, and known as "The White Ribbon Army" movement. There are at present 5,000 persons who wear the white ribbon, though the work was only recently established, and 48 meeting are held every week. Mrs. Terrett is the general, Mr. Terrett the colonel, and Mr. J. Down the major of this " Gospel Temperance movement. The pledge requires simply abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, and dis. countenance of their use by others. We are glad to hear that many drunkards have been lifted up and brought to Christ by the efforts of this noble army, which is proving a valuable adjunct to the work our people are doing at Redcliff Crescent Chapel. The meeting of the Army, held on the 12th of October, during the committee meetings, shows that our Bedminster friends have solved the problem, "how to reach the masses," and win their hearts, in that densely populated district. The bands of the Army paraded the streets before the time of meeting; and not only was the spacious Crescent Chapel crowded, standing as well as sitting room being occupied, but an overflow meeting was held in the old chapel, now used by us as a mission hall and coffee tavern, with reading-rooms, &c., and not all the people could be accommodated even then. As we looked out on the teem. ing mass of people we thought, what a moral power the Bible Christians must be in Bedminster to collect together at a Gospel Temperance Meeting such a number of working men and their wives, many of them bearing unmistakeable marks of degradation, and surroundings and bringing up of the roughest description. The General herself presided at the meeting with great good grace, and was supported by an excellent array of speakers. Our ministerial brethren, Lark, Luke, Reed and Bourne, and our widely-known and powerful advocate, Br. Coad, delivered addresses, which were in every way worthy of the great occasion; and the first and last-named of the speakers, with Br. Edgcombe, addressed the crowd in the Mission Hall as well. We hope to be able to furnish a fuller account of the doings of the White Ribbon Army before long; and to inform our readers from time to time of instances of rescue and cases of conversion through the instrumentality of this agency. The movement has our sympathy and "Godspeed;" and we shall be always prepared to find space in our pages to chronicle its doings. We may add that our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Terrett, were led to adopt the Ribbon movement because of the attention and achievements it had won in America and London; but to steer clear of political colours in Bristol they chose white as their colour and badge. REVIVALS. TIDINGS have reached us of the conversion of many souls in the Forest of Dean Circuit, where for eight weeks revival services have been conducted by a zealous band of young local preachers-a blessed work-a full account of which we are promised by next month; also, revivals are in progress at Hea Moor, Penzance Circuit, Looe, Wellington, Holsworthy, and Durham. As our friends and readers generally are thirsting for accounts of the work we are doing, by the Divine blessing, as a people in saving souls, will our brethren help to make our pages interesting by furnishing us with facts, instances, and incidents of work done? Striking cases of conversion, well authenticated, would be peculiarly acceptable,anything, in fact, that will strengthen the conviction that we are doing a work for the Lord Jesus in rescuing the perishing. Much has been done and is doing in this way; but we scarcely do justice to ourselves by hiding the light of our work done under a bushel instead of setting it on a candlestick that it may give light to all who are in the house. Poetry. HAVE YOU NOT A WORD FOR JESUS? “O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise ? ” (PSALM li. 15.) HAVE you not a word for Jesus-not a word to say for Him? He is listening through the chorus of the burning seraphim! He is listening; does He hear you speaking of the things of earth, He has spoken words of blessing, pardon, peace, and love to you, Have you not a word for Jesus? Will the world His praise proclaim? Who shall speak if ye are silent? ye who know and love His name. You, whom He hath called and chosen His own witnesses to be, Will you tell your gracious Master, "Lord, we cannot speak for Thee?” "Cannot!" though He suffered for you, died because He loved you so! "Cannot! though He has forgiven, making scarlet white as snow! "Cannot!" though His grace abounding is your freely promised aid! "Cannot!" though He stands beside you, though He says, "Be not afraid!" What shall be our word for Jesus? Master, give it day by day; Give us holy love and patience; grant us deep humility, That of self we may be emptied, and our hearts be full of Thee; Yes, we have a word for Jesus; living echoes we will be Yes, we have a word for Jesus! we will bravely speak for Thee, THE BIBLE CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE. THIS MINISTRY.* "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."— 2 COR. iv. I, 2. Y DEAR YOUNG BRETHREN,-Twenty-three years ago this Conference I stood in Mount Street Chapel, Devonport, in company with four other young brethren, and received a charge from our ever to be revered friend and father, James Thorne. I can hardly realize the fact that time has so rapidly passed, and that I in this service have to take a part similar to that which he then took in that service, yet so it is; and when twenty-three years more have passed away, one of you may be occupying the position which I now occupy, while many of us who are older than you will have joined the larger company on the other side. Your position to day, as well as mine, is one of great responsibility; and I doubt not that you feel the solemnity of the occasion. It has been before you more or less during the four years of your probation; and now having been received by the Conference into its ranks as accredited Ministers of the Denomination, you have engaged to do its work, to bear its burdens, and to share its honours. I am desirous of saying a few words to you, that may be helpful in your ministerial course. I am conscious of my incom The CHARGE, delivered by the Ex-President, Br. James Horwill, to the brethren, J. C. Sweet, J. Datson, R. S. Alford, T. P. Oliver, 2nd, W. H. Webber, J. Gifford, and J. Seldon, on Friday, July 29th, 1881, at Quay Street Chapel, Newport, Isle of Wight, on their being admitted into Full Connexion; and published by request of the Conference. L petence for this duty. I would that it devolved on other, and older, and abler hands than mine, but while I may not be able to address you with the ability and the experience that some can command, I can assure you there are none among us who feel a deeper interest in your welfare than I do, and my words will be spoken in sincerity and in love. My remarks will have a special reference to your ministry, and the manner in which its duties are to be discharged. I. THE MINISTRY WITH WHICH YOU ARE ENTRUSTed. 1.—Its subject. It is the ministry of Christ and His Gospel. Paul calls it "this ministry." He uses the term in contradistinction to the ministry of the law, which was entrusted to Moses. The context presents a series of contrasts between the Jewish and Christian dispensations, in which the superiority of the Christian is manifest. So vastly superior is the Christian, that that which was glorious is rendered of no glory by reason of the glory that excelleth. Into these particulars we do not enter, but simply observe that the ministry of the Apostles was essentially Christian. Their theme was Christ; this must be evident to all who read apostolic history as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and as manifest in their Epistles. It mattered not whether they were addressing Jew or Gentile, whether they were speaking in synagogue or on the sea-shore, whether their audiences consisted of the cultured or the uncultured, the superstitious or the sceptical, the vicious or the virtuous, they had one Gospel to make known, one Saviour to proclaim. And when Paul was writing to the Galatians, he says, "Though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." You, then, dear brethren, are the successors of the Apostles as to the theme of your ministry. Their ministry is your ministry. Whatever their ministry comprehended yours comprehends. You are to preach that which they preached, you are to be content with nothing less. It is of great importance, however, that you have correct views of your subject. Who is this Christ that you have to preach? What is He? The Christ that meets with acceptance in many quarters is not the Christ of the Bible. There is a Christ existing in human theology and in rationalistic theory who is destitute of the supernatural, the miraculous, and the Divine; a Christ whose incarnation was a myth, and whose death was no sacrifice; a Christ who has nothing to recommend Him but His beautiful example, and His fine ethical system. But I fail to recognize in Him the Christ of patriarchs and prophets, the Christ of Paul, of |